then yes, i would check the wheel bearings, cause they will cause that, i mean that is what your truck rolls on. lol. so to answer your question, yes one bearing could do that.

 

thanks, i had it jacked up this morning in my garage i wiggled the steering shaft where it goese into the gear box and i could wiggle it back and forth and it made a popping noise. with the hood up i moved the steering wheel back and forth and it made that same sound. i grabbed the steering shaft where it comes out of the firewall right behind the little u-joint thing and there is a little play in that u-joint. it mainly came from the gear box where the steering shaft goes into it.

 

If you can wiggle your tire, you have more than that going on. With as frustrated as you sound I'd start adding up costs for a steering shaft and box, ball joints, and a unit bearing. If that's more than what you're willing to put in it...

 

already had the ball joints replaced. im going to start with the steering box. they are like 200$ at autozone. if that dont help ill do the wheel bearing.

 

you say not to get cardone parts? advanced autoparts only has cardone brand. i searched autozone and came up with this.
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/cat...randName=Atsco

since i am thinking about replacing it myself, would i need a seal kit, or would this one just be a direct replacement? ive never messed with steering components before. anyway, thanks guys, you all are very helpfull. appreciate it.

 

Direct replacement, no seal kit required. And if you have play in the bottom of the steering shaft, you"ll want to replace the bushing with that fix I previously gave you a link to. And btw, I would also say do not get the cardone, try autozone for anything but.

 

cool, thanks. i was searching around the forums and a found a thread where i could download the whole user guide where it showed how every part went together. i was lookin at the gear box, it showed how to make adjustments with tension or preload. would i have to mess around with that?

 

went to autozone tonight and ordered the part. was around 290$. with a 88$ core charge. it should be here tuesday. now when i get it, all i have to do is slap it on the truck and lign the tires up? or would i have to adjust the tension and all that mess?

 

The box will come pre ajdusted. And buy plenty of extra ps fluid, so you can flush the old fluid out of the system. The new box will have directions how to do that or get a Haynes manual. Also use a bungy or something to keep the steering wheel from moving.

 

sweet, thanks. thats what i wanted to hear man. i was lookin at the adjustment page and was a little intimmidated because i dont have any of those tools, or really know what i am doing lol. but i forgot to order that bushing you wer talking talking about!